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Editors' Review

The latest release of Corel Studio focuses on building up its consumer-level video-editing and production suite. Version X6 of VideoStudio is essentially Corel's response to the rise of HD content on affordable consumer gadgets. Corel has diligently kept up with consumers' pace when it comes to supporting such file types.

Using VideoStudio Pro as a primary editing program was a mixed bag; as someone who frequently produces videos on both a casual and professional basis, I had trouble envisioning the audience that Corel is targeting with VideoStudio. But first let's cover the core features.

Editing videos clips in Video Studio takes place in two workspace modes: storyboard and timeline. Here is where personal preference comes into play. On one hand, Corel's workspace layout is tailored to getting users quickly into the video workspace. To edit videos, simply drag and drop your clips into an area at the bottom of the interface. On the other hand, more-conventional editors use a tree-view library structure with folders that allow for better management of large projects. VideoStudio Pro lets you get to work quickly, but it can become a hassle as you work with more media clips.

Corel approaches video editing with a concentration on individual clips and moments, primarily on a single video track. The result is a workflow that forces you to focus on incremental production if you want to create a higher-quality product for longer movies. The workflow should be fine for a homemade movie trailer or 5-minute video sequence, but it is far less than ideal for bigger projects that deal with multiple takes, angles, and sound clips on one track.

Layering is limited to one main video track, with up to 20 "overlay" tracks, one main "voice" track, and up to three additional music tracks. You can easily make picture-in-picture effects by layering videos in the timeline and track. It's also a good way to sync multiple clips together of the same scene. However, I found myself getting the main and overlay tracks confused as more and more clips piled on.

Adding transitions and effects are also as simple as dragging and dropping -- navigate to an effect or overlay on the upper-right panel, then drag your selection onto the clip in your storyboard or timeline. Rendering preview animations from the menu caused noticeable slowdown of my machine, so you don't want to spend too much time with this option running. In my test setup (Core i7 processor, GTX460 GPU, and 8GB RAM), the program seemed to struggle when rendering dSLR footage at 1080p resolution shot with a Canon 600D; however, rendering 1080p footage taken with a Galaxy S3 worked flawlessly. Your mileage will likely vary depending on your specs.

Another major addition to version X6 is the ability to set motion tracking and define paths for overlay objects. Corel's VideoStudio comes packed with a few stock patterns and paths, but I can hardly think of many scenes or casual videos that I'd shoot that would be appropriate for those. Instead, I'd rather focus on the custom path or tracking tool. You can select a person or object in each clip, and VideoStudio will attempt to follow that person in the footage by scanning each frame. The result is an automated path that can also be accompanied by simple text or graphics, like a floating name, identifier, or even a silly face. A more practical application would be sports footage, where a bike racer or speeding downhill skier could be tracked and identified by name.

Though it's not perfect, you can edit and adjust motion paths to smooth jagged points and create more-polished effects. There are many variables that will affect the quality of your results, but overall it's a neat feature if used sparingly and correctly.

Corel has many interesting features to its base unit, with added bonuses and effects in the Ultimate package. Though VideoStudio X6 can certainly handle footage from more-advanced machines, professional users will probably prefer alternative options even if the price tag remains higher, because of the limitations of the workflow within X6. VideoStudio X6 is much better for casual or hobby users using nondedicated gadgets like smartphones and point-and-shoot cameras. At its reasonable price, X6 is close to hitting that attractive sweet spot for the right low-to-mid-end user.

Publisher's Description

From movies in minutes to advanced timeline editing, VideoStudio Pro X9 has something for every video editor. Tell your story your way with the new Multi-Camera Editor, hundreds of creative effects, transitions and titles, and pro-quality audio tools.

Their support is only good for one instance then you pay.I believe they deliberately have lousy software so you have to phone and pay for support. Then when you do phone for support it is no good. I have been using Corel software for over 15 years and in the last two years all their software and support has started going down a very steep hill.

Summary

I think it is regrettable that Corel has chosen this path of buying up really good software companies and lowering them to their new standards. In my opinion look for alternative software. This is not meant to be a personal attack on the Corel Company but a sincere way to inform the consumer of what to probably expect.

I compare Corel to Avid, Corel has better video result & better sound quality (for live performances audio) than Avid.

Cons

Corel doesn't have a lot of effects or any photo slides, crashes almost all the time (very very often / within minutes), & fails at 99% while rendering a High Definition mp4 (the file is gone/not created at all), the picture in picture effect reduces the quality of the picture/video that is using the effect.

Summary

It's very easy to use, very convenient than Avid, but I have to think again of using it as it crashes almost every 20 minutes or so.

I tried their free version and decided I would buy the full version and by another software for pictures. I tried paying using Paypal, something happened and I was unable to finish transaction. Paypal said that they paid Corel. I could not download nor was I sent any email confirmation. This was a Saturday morning, they only have customer support Monday through Thursday. Contacted them on a that Monday following via chat. Long story short three phone calls and a week and a half later, I received a refund and an email with a new link to down load the package. This after me throwing a fit. They then to add fire to the mixture the link was for the product was higher than my original transaction!

Insert a one minute video on to time line.Mute audio every other 10 seconds for an experiment.Insert music from the auto music insert.Compensate muted audio of the video. Reduce level where original audio is present. Leave music where original audio is muted.Preview is excellent. Original audio for 10 seconds, music for 10 seconds and so on.Share the timeline to convert to MPEG4.Audio sync is no where same as you heard in preview.Contacted on-line tech who identified as Chris B.Walked him through to demonstrate. He put me on hold for 20 mintues, talked to some one else, and finally took my email ID and promised to get back. Never heard from him.Bugs are expected but I wouldn't release a product with broken main feature. Besides, the support sucks.

My recommendation is to hold on until they fix the bug and ensure timely support.

Warning Video Studio Pro converts video to a .vsp extension. When my video studio pro software went corrupt I was unable to access the converted video.

Do not fail to back up your video before using.

Despite the fact Corel's offering an uninstall tool, VSP failed to uninstall properly. Over the next year I made over a dozen failed attempts to reinstall.

At last I reached an on line service rep. I explained I wanted to reinstall pro X3 and upgrade. He crisply informed me Pro X3 was out of support and that he must end our conversation.

After reformatting my C drive I was able to reinstall Pro X3, still planning to upgrade to Pro X 6. However, my activation code had been invalidated and Corel had blocked me from all avenues of contract and left holding the bag.

Summary

I am a television producer/reporter experienced with operating high end, but not top of the line edit software. I bought VSP for hobby/experimental work because of it diverse features and low cost.

I thought the Video Studio interface was OK and had no serious problems with the software, apart from its going corrupt.

Clearly while other companies like Microsoft learned in the late 90's and early 00's that they would have to shrug off the kind of swaggering arrogance that treats customers like serfs, Corel is still stuck in the Dark Ages and has not re-learned the art of customer support.

So, while the product was "acceptable" in terms of functionality given the hassles created by its proprietary file extensions and shaky customer support, I'm going to go and find the free editor I installed when Video Studio Pro crashed in the first place. In the meantime I have the 30 day trial version installed and will be converting my .vsp video files back to .wmv

Sir,Since you are expert, can you explain what happened in my case.I inserted a one minute video to test. Pulled down actual audio every other 10 seconds. (0 to 10 has audio, 10-20 no audio, etc.). Now insert music using the Auto music insert Icon. Change audio level to compensate the muted audio. Drag the on-screen level control to change audio. No music for 0 to 10 seconds, has music from 10 to 20 seconds, etc. Preview the final product. Original audio from 0 to 10 seconds, music from 10 to 20 seconds, etc. Perfect. Now share and convert to MPEG4. When I did this the replaced audio was not any where it was intended to. I contacted on-line tech support and talked to aa tech who identified as Chris B. He understood the issue. Put me on hold for 20 minutes, took my email ID and that is it. Two weeks now, never heard from him. Let me know how that works for you,Regards,JP

- Large projects can be hard to get an overview of- Does not work on older graphics cards (anymore?)

Summary

This is the perfect home/action-video editing software for them using the new camera gadgets flooding the market. Action cameras, smartphones and compact digital cameras is what this is aimed for. Up to 1 hour footage is okay but longer projects tend to be hard to overview and clumsy to edit. It is not a "movie maker" like Photoshop Premiere but perfect for 10-30 min clips editing. Motion tracking, stop motion and speed shift is cool new features that will make action videos look very professional. The performance is good and it renders faster than competitors, specially if you have multicore CPU and a modern GPU. Talk about GPU, older cards from 2006 and like can not take advantage of the new features and therefore an upgrade from X5 is pointless on an older computer. For the price this is a very good software, easy to use and full of cool features. It is stable and renders fast. Get it if you are into home editing.

Many features. The Program is one of the easiest video editing software's you can ever hope to work with. Not only is it a fairly nice editor, but the fact that you can pick up the full version for $100 can't be beat. By for a version I mean VS 6 Ultimate.

Cons

There are a number of things that could have been designed differently. Some features that make for a good editor are missing.

Summary

Anybody relatively new to video editing will find this program surprisingly easy to work with compared to the other high-end ones out there. It's by no means the best video editor. But some of the best of video editors are very difficult to learn how to use. As a starter video editor you can't go wrong with this one. It does the majority of the things that the very expensive programs do. And you can purchase the full-featured version for only $100. If you punch in freedomearthmoon 1 on a YouTube search you will find some of my tutorials dealing with Corel VideoStudio. I've only uploaded 2 so far for the new version 6.

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